40-minute battle to land 55lb mirror

Fryerning’s second 90lb-plus brace in a week has gone to Darren Baker with the capture of the venue’s biggest resident.

The 35-year-old caught the Gurm at 55lb 4oz just five minutes after recasting following the capture of No Name at 37lb 4oz at the Essex site.

The Gurm at 55lb 4oz

“I had the 37lb mirror first,” said the car valeter from Cambridgeshire, “then after a recast had Gurm after only five minutes of the rig being in the water.

“Lifting into a real twitchy take I knew something huge was on the other end and had a long, hard battle for over 40 minutes.”

No Name at 37lb 4oz

Darren, who fished to a hard spot at 80 yards, added: “Oh my days, emotional isn’t the word! It’s a new pb and lake record, and two fish in one session. The pure width of it is mindblowing, it is sure to get even bigger over the next few months.”